Meena glanced at her phone on her lap, waiting. It’s been thirty minutes since Nur called. But why hadn’t he called again? She shook her head. She shouldn’t care whether he did or not. They were over. He made sure of it. So she shouldn’t bother, for if he did, he’d call again.

She hissed and picked her phone. Just then, the doctor came in, smiling. 

“Welcome Doctor.” 

“Thank you. Well done.”

“Still sleeping?”

She peeked at Hoor. “Yes.”

“And her mother?”

Oh right. Kauthar and Barakah. “She’s on her way.” Meena said, dialing Kauthar’s number. What kind of friend was she?

The doctor nodded. “Let me know when she wakes.”

Meena smiled and placed the phone against her ear. Three rings later, she dropped the phone. Then she noticed Hoor’s hand moving. She moved her chair closer and took Hoor’s hand. Her phone began to ring. 

Eyes still closed, Hoor whispered, “Mummy?”

“She’s coming.” Meena carried the phone, without checking the name, “Kauthar, how far na, Hoor just woke up.” 

There was silence. She frowned. Had something bad happened? “Kauthar?” 

There was an slow intake of breath. “Meenabty.” 

Meena’s eyes widened, her breath stilted. He really was back. 

“Meena.” He said again. 

“Aunty Meena.”

Her head snapped towards Hoor.

“Is it Mummy?” 

Meena blinked, cleared her throat. “I have to go.”

“Wai-” he started to say, but she ended the call. Not now. 

For the rest of the day, she focused on Hoor: changed her clothes, took her out for lunch, and kept her busy with games and jokes. Nur didn’t call again.

When Kauthar finally called, it was few minutes after sunset. And Meena had already taken Hoor home with her. 

“We’re on our way.” Meena told Kauthar as she put on her hijab. 

“Okay.” 

Meena stopped. “Are you okay? You sound…” 

Kauthar laughed. “No, I’m fine. Barakah is back so it’s all good.”

Meena smiled and closed her bedroom door. “Oya o, Shukra bring Hoor o.” She called out and plopped down on the arm chair.

Fadilah came up behind her. “Binti,” 

“Ummi.” She smiled. 

“Where to?” 

“Kauthar’s place.”

“Oh, she’s back with Barakah?” 

“Yes o, we thank God.” 

“Barak Allahu feeki, help me greet her please. We’ll visit tomorrow in sha Allah.”

As Meena nodded and rose from her seat. She watched her mother across her, eyes on the tv, looking serene in her brown ankara skirt and blouse.”

Should she tell her?

“Em, Ummi?”

Fadilah turned. “Na’am?” 

Meena opened her mouth. Or should she wait for her father? Since they were all in this together. Her father might even want to talk to him. But her mother… “You look really nice tonight.” She winked.

Fadilah narrowed her eyes. “Should I look ugly ni?” 

Meena laughed.

“Aunty?” She turned, On seeing Hoor, her eyes widened. “What is this one?” Hoor giggled. She was still in the pink and white top and palazzo pants her mother picked out for her. But her face was powdered, eyes shadowed in glittering pink, lips shiny with pink, and head wrapped with a white scarf. Meena went closer, “See small amarya o.”

“Am I fine?” Hoor twirled. 

“Over fine gan.” 

Shukra came out holding a camera, “You’re ready to go, abi? Let me just snap her small.”

Meena groaned. “Don’t waste time sha.” She went back to the seat and carried her purse, hoping Kauthar hadn’t called again. The phone rang, startling her. On seeing the contact name, she smiled in relief. “Assalamu alaikum.” 

“Wa alaikum salam, someone sounds excited tonight.” 

She rolled her eyes and headed towards the door, “Someone is hearing double tonight.”

He laughed. “Trust your day went well.” 

Without thinking, she said, “Yes. Yours?”

“Nice. I’d like to think that tonight’s plans contributed to it.” 

She shook her head. “Be deceiving yourself there.” She heard the door open behind her. “Okay, I need to take my bestie’s daughter home. When do we meet?” 

“I was thinking, by eight.” 

“Sure.” She felt Hoor’s hand in hers. “No problem, I’ll see you then.”

“In sha Allah.” 

When they arrived at Kauthar’s house, she was already waiting outside the gate. As they got down from the motorcycle, Hoor ran into her mother’s arms. 
Meena smiled at the sight. One day, this would be her. But with who? She looked up at the sky. The half moon peeked behind Kauthar’s house, as though afraid of the starless sky. Just as she was afraid of the unknown in her life. 

“Hey,” Kauthar walked up to her. 

She smiled. “How is she?” 

Kauthar bobbed her head. “Resting. Guess who came to see me.” 

“Who?”

“Hajja and Aunty Mamy.”

“Woah, when?”

“They called me on my way home. They were already at the house sef when I got back.”

“Hope she didn’t give you a hard time?”

She shook her head. “Nah, she just complained that I didn’t give them the gist of what has been going on.”

Meena rolled her eyes. “You ney dey hear word.”

“Abeg leave me.” Kauthar eyed her. “Aren’t you coming in?”

“No, let me leave her to rest, we’ll come with Ummi and the twins tomorrow.”

Kauthar nodded. “Thank you for everything Meena. Your advice, yo-”

“Ah ah, it’s no big deal na.” 

Kauthar hugged her, “It is o.” After pulling away, she said. “And speaking of hearing word, have you spoken to him?”

Meena looked away. “I have moved on.”

“That doesn’t answer my question.”

“What’s the use? I’ve met someone and I’m happy. In fact, we even have a date tonight.”

“Congrats, but still, don’t you need closure, at least hear what he has to say?”

Meena hissed. “No need, he has already had his say.”

“What of your own say?”

Meena gazed at her friend. She was right. There was so much Meena wanted to say. An insult would be a good start. But she was afraid, afraid that talking to him could ruin everything, could break down the wall she had set up for him.

And then there was Badr. She was already enjoying his company, taking what she could from him, knowing he was God sent. She knew she didn’t love him–might not love him. But she was hopeful she’d forget and move on, with him in her life. Was that selfish? 

“Meena!” Kauthar’s voice startled her.

“What na?” 

“Are you still thinking of an answer?”

“I–”

Kauthar held up her hand. “It’s okay. I understand. But please, think about it. Now that you’re moving on, it’s better you sort out whatever is between you two.” 

She shrugged. “Fine.” Just then, car headlights shone behind her. She turned around, then to Kauthar. “Your oga is back. Let me be going.”

Kauthar nodded and squeezed Meena’s hands. “See you tomorrow. There is plenty gist o.”

“I know na.” Meena waved, greeted Ismail from the window, and strolled down the road, lit up by orange streetlights. Her phone vibrated in her hands. She stopped, hoping it was Badr. But it wasn’t. It was a short text from the king of texts: I need to talk to you. There’s been a
misunderstanding. I’m already in town and I just spoke with your Dad. Will see you tomorrow in sha Allah.

Meena groaned. How dare he speak to her dad first? She sighed and switched off the phone. She wished she had spoken to him before. Now there was no way she could escape this. And what misunderstanding was he referring to? She hoped he was wrong. There was no misunderstanding. There couldn’t be, right?

•••
I don't know why I feel most sorry for Meena💔💔💔

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See you next week, in sha Allah.

F. I Uthman (Zah StorytellerHQ).